Ordinary diners who take part in our annual survey each spring review restaurants and leave their feedback, but we also ask them to score restaurants from 1-5 on food, service and ambience. Harden’s then uses an average of these scores and measures them against other establishments in the same price bracket to arrive at the ratings published in the guide and online.

Snippets from some of your feedback may end up in the overall Harden’s review, noticeably they appear in “double quotation marks”. The rest of our pithy, bite-sized restaurant summaries are compiled by analysing the survey data and extracting recurring themes, looking at whether or not a venue was nominated in any of our categories – like ‘favourite’ or ‘most overpriced’ – and, of course, looking at the ratings for food, service and ambience.

The Harden’s ratings indicate that a restaurant is:

exceptional very good good average poor

All reviews are compiled from survey comments and ratings, without any regard for our own personal opinions, except in cases where restaurants are too new to have been included in the survey. If you want the editors’ view on new restaurants in London you can find them in our Editors’ Review section.

Harden's Guides have been compiling reviews of the best Japanese restaurants in Soho since 1998.

“A noisy nightclub vibe” boosts the appeal of this funkily decorated (big colourful murals and architectural furniture) Japanese-Peruvian fusion joint in Soho, but for a stylish scene the food’s no after thought, and on all feedback “very good”.

“Authentic, fresh udon” bring a real and very affordable taste of Japan to Soho and now to the City’s new Bloomberg Arcade. Quite different from the ramen that has proliferated recently in London, udon are soft, fat wheat noodles that can be eaten hot or cold – “great value for money” and “their specials change constantly and are fantastic” too.

The “beautiful top-floor setting in the West End with big outside terrace” creates a vibey environment – “reminiscent of a nightclub” – at this branch of the Hong Kong chain. For somewhere so central (seconds from Oxford Circus), feedback historically has been surprisingly limited and variable, but those who did make the trip this year report “high quality” Japanese sushi and other fare “with an interesting twist on standard dishes”. See also Aqua Nueva.

“The broth is so incredibly thick and creamy, and this combined with the very generous servings make for a very good quick eat” at these cramped ramen pit-stops serving “noodles… more noodles… and some side dishes for those not wanting noodles”. “As it’s just a place for sustenance, you go with the flow, but staff are friendly and helpful”.

The “perfect westernised Japanese food” at former Zuma and Nobu chef Ross Shonhan’s “hip” ramen-bar chain “shows how to do fusion”: “the soup stock is wonderfully thick and full of flavour, not watery like other places”. Top Tip: “soft shell crab ramen”.

“Perfect Westernised Japanese food” – Bone Daddies’s Soho sister has a “hip atmosphere and great staff”, and provides an object lesson in “how to do fusion cuisine”. “The tasting menu is a bargain at £30 as it includes all their signature dishes”. Top Tip: “Kinako French toast with Matcha is a delight” – “how can bread and ice cream be this good?”.

“If you know your Japanese food and you don’t want high-end dining with all the associated costs, then flock here! Flock and wait for one of the precious tables” at this little Soho izakaya presided over by chef Yuya Kikuchi (the best bet is to sit at the bar and watch him in action). Stellar sushi is the star turn here, although there are other menu options. Communication is “more or less without English” and “service is fine… if you have a clue what is going on”.

“Tasty (and filling) noodle dishes and decent quality sashimi” draw a steady crowd to these Japanese pit stops: a “good option in busy, trendy areas”, even if “space is cramped” and “you might have to queue”.

“Great Japanese-style decor” adds pizzazz to this energetically designed three-floor newcomer in Chinatown, complete with clubby basement (with DJs). Feedback is still quite limited, but its menu of ramen, Japanese spring rolls and wagyu beef burgers was mostly highly rated.

“Fast, efficient, delicious and great value” – what more could you want from a Japanese canteen? The Soho original, now in its 20th year, is “always packed”. These days there are also branches in the City and Balham.